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03/22/2017 08:00 AM

Injustice and Disrespect


I and our townspeople have voiced many concerns about greatly not wanting these J.J. Sullivan bulk propane storage tanks in our town.

J.J. Sullivan has been in business in Guilford for more than 85 years. The propane storage tanks were not wanted there and a proposal to build in Guilford did not get consent.

We are a town with many farms and a reservoir. There are families, gas stations, and businesses so very close to these tanks. Our townspeople were given the experience of having our intelligence repeatedly insulted. Instead of doing research beforehand, codes were changed and decisions made without a taxpayer vote on this propane issue. As a whole, it seems we are only valued in our tax contributions.

Our explosion expert showed and answered all the questions of what a disaster this could potentially become. The opposing side showed a pretty picture of how safe we are expected to be. The explosions occur more commonly than one would think.

I contacted State Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr. (D-12), who first sent Robert Blanchard to meet with me, then met with me at Evergreen Woods. Kennedy stated to the people who attended that in his opinion the site was not where the propane tanks should be placed. He has a huge interest in the environment. He took the time to be concerned about the issue here. We have his word to call him again if need be.

Two words come to mind in this situation of propane in our town: injustice and disrespect to all our townspeople.

We all are asking the Planning & Zoning Commission to please do the right thing by us and reject the J.J. Sullivan proposal to install these tanks here.

Patricia Bailey

North Branford

Editor’s note: The Planning & Zoning Commission denied the proposal on March 16 (after this letter was submitted).